Kalinaw News: Military, BARMM leaders discuss partnership towards peace and development in Sulu

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 5, 2021): Military, BARMM leaders discuss partnership towards peace and development in Sulu



May 05, 2021, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Jolo, Sulu – Western Mindanao Command Commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr, together with Joint Task Force-Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander Major General William Gonzales, met with BARRMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim on May 3 in Cotabato City to discuss their partnership towards peace and development in Sulu.

During the meeting, Lieutenant General Vinluan expressed his gratitude to the BARMM government, noting that the military and the BARMM leadership’s shared commitment to finally achieve lasting peace in Southern Philippines is clearly demonstrated by the achievements of Bangsamoro peace process.

Meanwhile, Major General Gonzales presented the major accomplishments of the military and Sulu Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC) counterparts, highlighting the 53 percent decline in the ASG manpower from 282 to 132 as well as the significant abatement of ASG-initiated violent incidents from 22 to zero, both based in comparative data of year 2019 and 1st quarter 2021. Major General Gonzales also emphasize the success of the PTF-ELAC’s Balik Barangay Program, which facilitated the return of hundreds of Internally Displaced People (IDPS) to six barangays in Patikul and one barangay in Talipao.

The PTF-ELAC is chaired by Sulu Governor Abdusakur M Tan which has been a venue where all government forces and offices synchronize efforts to bring forth the end of terrorism as well as plan for and execute projects for humanitarian rehabilitation and development.

“The military’s success against security issues in the province coupled with our partnership with NGOs, CSOs, and the provincial government of Sulu led by Governor Tan has made Sulu ready for sustainable development. While some challenges remain for the residents such as the lack of modest shelters, farm to market roads, school buildings, and responsive delivery of basic services, I believe with the help of the BARMM leadership, Sulu will soon re-acquire its old glory as a hub for tourism, fishery, and maritime industry in the region. With this, BARMM will gain significant development by investing government resources in Sulu. Rest assured that the JTF-Sulu will continue to support the BARMM, particularly its initiatives towards this end,” Major General Gonzales added.

For his part, Chief Minister Ebrahim expressed his gratitude to the Western Mindanao Command and JTF-Sulu for helping provide an environment that allows the BARMM Normalization track to take its course.

“Despite the prevailing security challenges, I assure the Joint Task Force-Sulu and the Local Government of the province that the BARMM government will remain supportive to programs that aim to end the armed conflict in Sulu. We recognize the hardship of the people in the midst of conflict. We have been there,” he expressed.

The BARMM Ministers presented their programs for 2021 as well as their development plans for year 2022 onwards, which they said the people of Sulu could avail of. The ministers further cited possible areas of cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The historic meeting ended with recommendations for partnership between the military and the BARMM. Among the consensus reached were the establishment of Bangsamoro-Sulu Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (BS-TFELAC), creation of housing programs, especially for the Balik Barangay IDPs, inclusion of ASG surrenderors to the BARMM former rebels program, and support for the proposed half way house/half way home community for surrenderors.

The meeting was also attended by JTF-Sulu Brigade Commanders and Senior Ministers Abdulraup “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, Mohagher Iqbal of Education, Eduard Guerra of Public Works, BARMM Ministers Naguib Sinarimbo of Local Government, Raissa Jajurie of Social Services, and Mohammad Yacob of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/military-barmm-leaders-discuss-partnership-towards-peace-and-development-in-sulu/